relative importance of sGPA for top schools?

[pioneer22]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

What is the relative threshold for top medical schools with regard to science GPA, assuming strong cGPA and MCAT?

With the average cGPA for top schools being ~ 3.8-3.9, what is a 'bad' sGPA they will scorn? 3.5?3.6?
Assuming a great MCAT (517+) and cGPA (3.7+), what sGPA will be a downside for top medical schools like Harvard or Columbia?

Thanks

 

[workaholic181]

Probably matters a lot. Best way to gauge is likely checking out the msar data for science gpa. If they take a wide range of GPAs it may vary, but I’d bet most of them have a pretty defined and limited range.

 

[pioneer22]

Probably matters a lot. Best way to gauge is likely checking out the msar data for science gpa. If they take a wide range of GPAs it may vary, but I’d bet most of them have a pretty defined and limited range.

do you know what these defined ranges are?

 

[BigBoss]

Buy the MSAR and find out yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lucca]

do you know what these defined ranges are?

msar ---> 10-90th percentile

 

[aldol16]

The top med schools tend to look at your application holistically and one deficiency doesn't necessary rule you out. But if you look at the MSAR and you're under, say, the 10th percentile for the class, that's not good unless you have some amazing hook like you're an Olympic athlete or something. Yes, the 10th percentile score means that 10% of the class has a score lower than that but that 10% of the class isn't randomly chosen from the pool of applicants - those spots are given to people who truly stand out.

 

[pioneer22]

The top med schools tend to look at your application holistically and one deficiency doesn't necessary rule you out. But if you look at the MSAR and you're under, say, the 10th percentile for the class, that's not good unless you have some amazing hook like you're an Olympic athlete or something. Yes, the 10th percentile score means that 10% of the class has a score lower than that but that 10% of the class isn't randomly chosen from the pool of applicants - those spots are given to people who truly stand out.

What is an amazing hook? Fulbright scholar?

 

[chaim123]

What is an amazing hook? Fulbright scholar?

News stories that have come out of Harvard medical school in the past few years include accepting a double amputee veteran. I know nothing of his GPA, MCAT, or anything else, but I believe that is an amazing experience.

There are plenty of fulbright, rhodes, and other scholars out there, especially with great GPAs. I don't think that would count as special enough to override a low GPA.

 

[Lucca]

News stories that have come out of Harvard medical school in the past few years include accepting a double amputee veteran. I know nothing of his GPA, MCAT, or anything else, but I believe that is an amazing experience.

There are plenty of fulbright, rhodes, and other scholars out there, especially with great GPAs. I don't think that would count as special enough to override a low GPA.

Lmao there might be several Fulbright’s but a Rhodes is exceedingly rare.

 

[pioneer22]

Lmao there might be several Fulbright’s but a Rhodes is exceedingly rare.

Agreed. Fulbright is definitely very prestigious though...wouldn't that get interest for an interview spot for top schools since they could advertise that prestige?

 

[chaim123]

Agreed. Fulbright is definitely very prestigious though...wouldn't that get interest for an interview spot for top schools since they could advertise that prestige?

Listen to gonnif. There's plenty of them with better science GPAs then you, and then they can brag about both.

 

[Lucca]

Agreed. Fulbright is definitely very prestigious though...wouldn't that get interest for an interview spot for top schools since they could advertise that prestige?

No one thing is gonna get you in. Try your best to be the full package. The Fulbright is certainly something to be very proud of and can lead you to produce better work than you might’ve otherwise done back home. When you’re prepared to apply, be realistic with yourself about where your app might get you and make a good school list. Don’t think too hard about this stuff.

 

[pioneer22]

Fulbright research grants are very prestigious. There are a lot of English Teaching Assistant positions that are technically still “Fulbright” but are not as prestigious. Also what people seem to be missing is that if you have a low GPA or do not have strong enough academic LORs your chances of getting a Fulbright, Rhodes, or other prestigious international fellowship is next to nil...

Rhodes maybe but Fulbright is independent of Gpa

 

[sat0ri]

Fulbright research grants are very prestigious. There are a lot of English Teaching Assistant positions that are technically still “Fulbright” but are not as prestigious. Also what people seem to be missing is that if you have a low GPA or do not have strong enough academic LORs your chances of getting a Fulbright, Rhodes, or other prestigious international fellowship is next to nil...

Rhodes maybe but Fulbright is independent of Gpa

A lot depends on what country you apply to. For example, UK open award Fulbright has a low acceptance rate than Rhodes (accept. rate = # awards / # applications), both of which are less than 2.5%; However, most acceptance rates are much much higher than that, and many Fulbright acceptance rates are 50% or higher, which isn't selective by any means. So it's very very attainable in that sense. I do think Fulbright is fairly well-known and gives you exposure to different cultures (big plus for med schools), but I wouldn't say they are exceptionally prestigious. It would certainly be unique and interesting however.

 

[aldol16]

What is an amazing hook? Fulbright scholar?

That is a positive mark, for sure. Whether it compensates completely depends on what the school wants and who is looking at your application. Competitive scholarships like Fulbright (especially UK), Rhodes, Marshall, etc. are usually associated with high GPA though (because they actively select for that).

 

[pioneer22]

but is there a threshold that is bad? like what if someone applied 3.85cGPA, 3.6sGPA, 520 mcat...would this 0.25gpa difference be bad for top schools?

 

[Goro]

Hi,

What is the relative threshold for top medical schools with regard to science GPA, assuming strong cGPA and MCAT?

With the average cGPA for top schools being ~ 3.8-3.9, what is a 'bad' sGPA they will scorn? 3.5?3.6?
Assuming a great MCAT (517+) and cGPA (3.7+), what sGPA will be a downside for top medical schools like Harvard or Columbia?

Thanks

The median sGPAs for the Top Schools is 3.9 with a 10th %ile of 3.6.
As the wise gonnif has already mentioned, you can't obsess, moth-like to a flame, about a single metric.

 

[radiculating spines]

but is there a threshold that is bad? like what if someone applied 3.85cGPA, 3.6sGPA, 520 mcat...would this 0.25gpa difference be bad for top schools?

For top schools exceptional ECs make the difference. At Penn, a top 5 school, the median GPA for accepted students is a 3.87. At Penn State, which I don't think is ranked in the top 100, it's 3.82. Disclaimer: I mean no disrespect to Penn State--there are no bad medical schools in the US. Just illustrating a point with two schools people call "elite" and "not elite."

 

[mwsapphire]

The median sGPAs for the Top Schools is 3.9 with a 10th %ile of 3.6.
As the wise gonnif has already mentioned, you can't obsess, moth-like to a flame, about a single metric.

If you're at that tenth ( w/ strong MCAT) just apply, and see what happens, right?

 

[Goro]

If you're at that tenth ( w/ strong MCAT and ECs) just apply, and see what happens, right?

Somebody has to be in the tenth %ile!

and fixed your post for you